Mountain Valley Special Education JPA

APE teachers have specific training in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, human development, kinesiology, motor control theory, motor development, cognitive development, learning theory, sport, physical activity dance, behavior management and have studied the etiology of disabilities and their effects upon movement.  Adapted physical education is a combination of the disciplines of physical education and special education. 

 

Adapted physical education specialists use instructional techniques to improve the individual’s movement performance in:

 

OTs are health professionals who have specific training in human

growth and development and remediation of dysfunction. Included in the occupational therapist’s education are courses in human anatomy and physiology; human development, especially the motor and psychosocial domains; sensorimotor processing as related to functional activities; kinesiology; analysis of activities of daily living; and the study of occupational roles.

 

Occupational therapists use purposeful, goal-directed activities to improve student performance in: 

 

PTs are health professionals with specific training in kinesiology and the remediation of dysfunction. Included in the physical therapist’s education are courses in human anatomy and physiology; pathophysiology; physiology; gait and posture analysis; human development, especially gross motor development and motor control theories, physical treatment modalities; and cardiopulmonary, orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation.

 

Physical therapists use techniques that correct, facilitate, or adapt the individual’s functional performance in:

    

The similarities among the three (adapted physical education, occupational therapy, and physical therapy) are many, as these disciplines often work on the same types of skills.  For example, in both the physical therapy and adapted physical education settings, a student could work on the skills of transferring, sitting independently, walking, and jumping.  In both occupational therapy and adapted physical education, the student could be working on balance, functional manipulative skills and play activities.  All three disciplines strive to improve movement performance by improving the motor coordination of skills. They also strive to facilitate a child’s ability to access their school environment and keep up with their peers in a school setting. The three disciplines recognize the importance of the underlying neuromuscular systems that are responsible for the execution of movement. 

 

Overlap of Improvement of Motor Skills Between The Disciplines

Motor Area Skills	Adapted Physical Education	Occupational  Therapy	Physical Therapy
Gross Motor	x		x
Object Control	x	x	x
Functional	x	x	x
Fine Motor	x	x	x
Perceptual Motor	x	x
Physical Fitness	x
Motor Fitness*	x		x
Recreation/Leisure	x	x	x
Games and Sport	x
Dance	x
Aquatics	x
Postural Stability	x	x	x
Sensory Processing		x	x
Motor Planning	x	x	x
Visual Perception		x
Self-Help	x	x	x
Assistive Devices		x	x
Social Play	x	x
Accessibility		x	x